Paul Weller has announced a new covers album, ‘Find El Dorado’. Listen to two songs from the project below.
The soloist and former Jam frontman is due to release the 15-track collection on July 25 via Parlophone (pre-order/pre-save here).
It is described as “a map of his emotional and musical DNA” that sees Weller “revisit songs that have long lived in the back of his mind – now reimagined with fresh meaning and a sense of reverence”.
‘Find El Dorado’ has already been previewed by ‘Lawdy Rolla’ (originally recorded by obscure French studio band The Guerrillas) and ‘Pinball’ (Brian Protheroe). Tune in here:
The project also features reinterpretations of classics by the likes of The Kinks (‘Nobody’s Fool’), Bee Gees (‘I Started A Joke’) and Bobby Charles (‘Small Town Talk’). Scroll down to see the full tracklist.
“These are songs I’ve carried with me for years,” Weller explained. “They’ve taken on new shapes over time. And now felt like the moment to share them.”
An official description reads: “These are songs that shaped his inner world – and now, through a mix of intimate arrangements and standout collaborations with the likes of Hannah Peel, Declan O’Rourke, Robert Plant, Seckou Keita, Amelia Coburn and Noel Gallagher, he’s passing them on.
“This is Weller at his most reflective, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the music that made him, and a reminder that great songs never age, they just evolve.”
‘Find El Dorado’ marks Weller’s return to Parlophone Records, through which he released his critically acclaimed run of albums from 2015 to 2018.
A seven-inch vinyl edition of ‘Lawdy Rolla’/’Pinball’ has also been announced – you can pre-order it here.
The tracklist for Paul Weller’s ‘Find El Dorado’ is:
1. ‘Handouts In The Rain’ (Richie Havens)
2. ‘Small Town Talk’ (Bobby Charles)
3. ‘El Dorado’ (Eamon Friel)
4. ‘White Line Fever’ (The Flying Burrito Brothers)
5. ‘One Last Cold Kiss’ (Christy Moore)
6. ‘When You Are A King’ (White Plains)
7. ‘Pinball’ (Brian Protheroe)
8. ‘Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire’ (Willie Griffin)
9. ‘I Started A Joke’ (Bee Gees)
10. ‘Never the Same (Lal and Mike Waterson)
11. ‘Lawdy Rolla’ (The Guerrillas)
12. ‘Nobody’s Fool’ (The Kinks)
13. ‘Journey’ (Duncan Browne)
14. ‘Daltry Street’ (Jake Fletcher/PP Arnold)
15. ‘Clive’s Song’ (Hamish Imlach)
Weller released his 17th and latest solo album, ’66’, almost exactly a year ago on May 24 – the day before his 66th birthday.
In other news, the singer-songwriter has signed a letter from Heavenly Recordings to support Kneecap’s right to “freedom of expression” amid the recent controversy around the Irish trio.
Meanwhile, Weller was spotted with Noel Gallagher in the crowd for Sex Pistols and Frank Carter’s tiny live show in London in March.
